One of about 30 American species or wild vines with the correct and complete botanical name Vitis x champinii Planch. (the "x" denotes the fact of a crossing). Trivial synonyms are Calcaire and Champin's Grape. The vine was originally considered by the French ampelographer Jules Émile Planchon (1823-1888) as a separate American species. However, it is a hybrid of a presumably natural cross between wild vines of the species Vitis mustangensis x Vitis rupestris. In North America, it occurs mainly in the US state of Texas. The lime-tolerant vine has good resistance to phylloxera and very good resistance to nematodes (threadworms). It is therefore often used for the cultivation of rootstock vines. This was the case with the varieties Champanel, Dog Ridge, Freedom and Harmony, among others. See also under American Vines and Vine System.
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena